IRIS INDIGO Restoration
#1
IRIS INDIGO Restoration
Hi all, In case anyone is interested, I’d just like to post my pandemic efforts thus far to restore this great old machine. Acquired it locally here (ex. medical school) from another collector.
After an initial inspection, I powered it up but couldn’t get passed the TOD battery error stating it had a flat battery.
Consulting with Ian Mapleson, who unfortunately wasn’t able to sell me one due to crazy postal rules in my country regarding air freighting of batteries, I located one and ordered it.
After waiting nearly four months for a replacement Tadiran battery (turns out other alternatives were available locally), I installed the new replacement and it was back in business. Here’s some details.

Hinv reported:
Model: Indigo R4K Elan, XS,XS24
CPU: 1 100MHz MIPS R4000(IP20)
Main Memory: 96Mb
Graphics: GR2-XZ

For KB/Mouse I’m using a drakware IndigoUSB adapter which functions perfectly.

Boots into IRIX 6.5.16 on a Seagate 9Gb HDD. Replaced at some stage!
System’s a little slow but I’m stoked to have her up and running again!

From what I can gather this system appeared to be used for creating animated graphics of arteries related to the human heart using .ArtVis' (Arterial Visualization software). Unfortunately the software was either deleted or on a secondary hard drive which was removed.
The skins are in fantastic condition for a machine of this age showing it was well looked after.
Included are a couple of photo’s showing the hinv and overall system condition.
   
   
   
Cheers
John
digitalIRIX
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07-20-2020, 05:21 AM
#2
RE: IRIS INDIGO Restoration
Very Nice! Smile
Irinikus
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07-20-2020, 06:01 AM
#3
RE: IRIS INDIGO Restoration
Hi Irinikus, thanks for the reply. My next project will be restoring an Indigo2 Power Series using the R8k CPU. Hope to get it up and running soon! Cheers.
digitalIRIX
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07-20-2020, 06:42 AM
#4
RE: IRIS INDIGO Restoration
Very nice! I have a maxed out Indigo R4400 Elan at home, so if I can answer any questions I'll surely try.
By the way, it will run quite a bit faster if you install Irix 5.3 on it instead of 6.5.

[Image: mNKDUqj.jpg]

[Image: bjcqtPvq_o.png]
(This post was last modified: 07-20-2020, 02:25 PM by BackPlaner.)
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07-20-2020, 01:23 PM
#5
RE: IRIS INDIGO Restoration
Love the look of both of those machines!

Indy Indigo2 Indigo2 R10000/IMPACT Indigo2 R10000/IMPACT Indigo Indigo O2 

Non-SGI hardware in the collection:
IBM: Intellistation 275 x2
Dell: XPS 720 x4
DEC: AlphaStation 500/333

VR rig: Intel i7-10700KF, MSI Z490 Carbon, Gigabyte Aorus RTX 2080 xtreme, Samsung Odyssey Plus
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07-20-2020, 08:39 PM
#6
RE: IRIS INDIGO Restoration
Nice system BackPlaner. When I get a spare 50 pin HDD I'll try installing Irix 5.3 per your recommendation. Cheers.
digitalIRIX
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07-21-2020, 12:40 AM
#7
RE: IRIS INDIGO Restoration
I need one of those Elan R4000 badges!!!!
Irinikus
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07-21-2020, 02:39 AM
#8
RE: IRIS INDIGO Restoration
(07-21-2020, 02:39 AM)Irinikus Wrote:  I need one of those Elan R4000 badges!!!!

Good luck, they are rarer than hens' teeth these days! Haven't seen any on eBay for ages....

[Image: bjcqtPvq_o.png]
BackPlaner
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07-21-2020, 02:52 AM


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